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December 26, 2017

Before writing this post, I read my previous entry for 2016. I feel like a different person while I was reading it. I've been through a lot last year, especially with my career. And of course, many things have changed as the year passed by.

For the first few months of 2017, I focused on this blog and look where we are now fam. It was January when I moved to Blogger and I can't believe it's almost a year already. I got my first sponsored post in June and I got invited to different blogging events since then too. Then, I changed my domain last October. This December, I won as one of the Best Reviewers for Benton's My Dear Bestfriend Bar. I'm really thankful for all of my friends and readers for supporting me and this blog. I got to work with different brands and companies who I am also thankful for. I never thought it will grow fast.

Let's not forget the day that I met Camie Juan in October. That was the day that I also made new friends. I won't ever forget that happy day. On the other hand, I met Dorothy of dorothytorretijo.blogspot.com and Joyce of itsjoycesalvador.blogspot.com for the first time at the Llaollao event. I got to attend Blogapalooza this December as well. I met Patricia of patrciadenise.com there for the first time (We've been friends online for a year before we met. Haha!) while it is my second time to meet Mei of jojomei.com.

I started working as a freelance writer in September. I finally got to try to work at home and so far so good. I first worked as a writer but I switched to data entry after a month. I was overwhelmed with article writing. Haha! While I was reading my 2016 entry, all I can say that I was really problematic with my career that time. I ended 2016 without any work. Well, I am still confused about my career now but I don't want to pressure myself anymore. So currently, I am working as a virtual assistant. Working at home is not bad at all. I find it convenient, I control my working hours and the pay is much better from my previous jobs tbh.

My boyfriend and his family migrated to the US two weeks ago. It one of the reasons why I didn't find a job. I want my time to be flexible so we can have much time before he leaves and I can say working at home made it easier. All I can say is all the adjustments are worth it. I was with him and his family a week before he left. For the past six years, we are always together and we see each other very often which is the hard part. It is also our first time to celebrate Christmas and New Year away from each other. Literally miles away from each other. I am not used to long distance relationships. I never had one, but we will fight for this relationship and I will wait for him. Cheesy but true! We just kept quiet about this all along. I never posted anything online before he left.

Before 2017 ends, I got another plot twist. My grandma's sister, who I also call and consider as my second Lola, died last December 19. I am not sure if I already said this in my previous blog posts but I live with my relatives, my Mom's two sisters and her. She was an old maiden with no children. I grew up with her, even much longer than my Lola and Lolo. She was 96 years old when she died. She was bedridden for more than three years because of a fracture in her right thigh due to old age. She died peacefully and I hope she is happy with God now.

I can't say that 2017 is the best year for me but it is neither the worst. But just like 2016, I learned so much from it and it made me grow as an individual. I felt lost but I learned to have faith in myself. All the struggles helped me change for the better. Social media is super toxic nowadays and please know that I don't post everything online. Don't act like you know everything about me. So before the new year starts, we'll leave all the toxic relationships, hate, and negative vibes behind. I am thankful for all the opportunities and new friends that this year has brought me. No regrets! However, I won't have high hopes for 2018 anymore. I'll just lift everything to God and have faith in Him.

For more blog posts, new friends, random conversations and happy thoughts in 2018! Always remember that you are loved and God is always there for us. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, fam! May God bless us more! xx ♥

December 06, 2017

Dear My Best Friend Bar aka as the BF Bar is Benton's new healthy and naturally derived soap for both body and face. This soap is made with vegetable oil base and various botanical ingredients to cleanse and moisturize dry and sensitive skin. It mainly helps blemished skin with its cacao seed, oatmeal, papain and basil by removing dead skin cells and excessive serum.

Benton is a cosmetic brand based in Korea. Benton is inspired by and named after the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. They aim to restore your skin back to its original and healthy condition with healthy recipes rather than to give temporary effects with harmful ingredients. They have physical branches in Sydney, Munich, and Spain. They are PETA Certified Cruelty-Free.

I've been using this soap for three weeks now and I can really say that this helps soothe my skin. I have combination and sensitive skin. I also used it on my body to maximize the effect. Aside from soothing my skin, it also made my skin smooth and hydrated. For the packaging, it is sealed in a metallic foil packaging and comes with a box and a foaming net. The foaming net that comes along is very handy. The soap bar has an aromatic (leafy) scent to it and it doesn't melt easily.

To show you how this soap instantly works, here is a photo of me before and after washing. Each photo has no filter. As you can see, it easily brightened up my face and my skin looks hydrated and refreshed af! It lessens the redness on my face. My current acne situation is at it's worst and this soap helps to calm my skin and easily dry up the acne. I've already tried other natural soap but this BF Bar is so far the best for me.

December 01, 2017

Ever since I started working at home, I became more enthusiastic about skincare products and makeup for natural looks. I just like to wear lip tint and powder whenever I go out on an ordinary day. My blogger friend, Patricia of patriciadenise.com, invited me to join a Facebook group for Korean makeup and skincare enthusiasts. It is the SaeliYuirMelissaLee's All About Korean Cosmetics and Skin Care.

They have Nanay Angels from different locations here in the Philippines to help you get their products. They have on hand products. However, whenever there is a massive sale, you really have to be patient because it takes time for the products to be shipped here in the Philippines. I waited for a month for this babies, but it is so worth it!! I bought it from Ms. Chefron Bernardo, but she is not a nanay angel anymore.

They had a sale last October and I got to purchase these babies. It is the Pony Effect Deep and Pure Tints. I bought this for 330 pesos for two tints. What a steal, isn't it? The original price is 380 pesos each tint on the group. The original price at Korea is probably at 700 pesos each. But mind you, this is authentic. I recommend you to join the group to see it yourself.

For the packaging, it is in a plastic tube. It is sleek, very handy and lightweight. I love the packaging especially the gold details. The product details are all written on the box, not on the tint itself. It contains 8.5 grams.

It comes with a doe foot applicator which as well all know is very common. There is also a strong scent. To me, it smells like the medicine for kids. Haha! It doesn't smell when it is on the lips though.

The shade is written at the top of the box. It is not written on the tube but the color of the lightning logo corresponds to the shade. That is the only thing that I don't like about this product.

When I purchased this tints, I didn't get to choose which shade to get because it will be randomly chosen by them (on sale). I got the shade Graceful (top) and Joyful (bottom). Graceful is a red shade with blue undertone while Joyful is on a raspberry shade. Both shades that I got are really different from each other.

Here is a photo of all the swatches. For your future reference ;)

Review

I always bring this with me wherever I go, together with the Karadium Pucca and Peripera lip tints. It looks very natural on the lips. However, it is not that long lasting compared to the Karadium Pucca lip tint. It can stay for 3 to 4 hours on the lips. It has a matte finish and it is not transfer-proof. A little goes a long way. Despite the smell and not being transfer-proof, I still love this product. I definitely recommend this product to you.

Hello!

I'm Elaine Dogelio and welcome to my blog! I love to share my beauty discoveries and food adventures. I also do product and food reviews. If you want to work with me, you can use the contact form or email me directly at lainedogelio@ymail.com.